"Deny human rights, and however little you may wish to do so, you will find yourself abjectly kneeling at the feet of that old-world god, Force"

Auberon Herbert's quote, "Deny human rights, and nevertheless little you may want to do so, you will discover yourself abjectly kneeling at the feet of that old-world god, Force", suggests an extensive connection between the acknowledgement of human rights and the ethical direction of a society. Herbert, a 19th-century British theorist and advocate of classical liberalism, argues that the suppression or rejection of human rights inevitably causes a dependence on force and browbeating as ways of governance and social order.

The quote speaks to the core philosophical belief that human rights are necessary for a simply and peaceful society. By rejecting these rights, a society efficiently weakens the foundation upon which ethical and fair interactions amongst people are constructed. Subsequently, the social contract that guarantees mutual respect and coexistence disintegrates, leaving a vacuum too often filled by authoritarian power or violence.

When Herbert recommendations "that old-world god, Force", he invokes a historical viewpoint where might and power, often through war or oppression, were main tools for keeping control. This metaphor reflects societies throughout history where the lack of recognized individual rights resulted in tyranny and injustice, where human lives were valued only as instruments of power.

Therefore, Herbert warns that even if rejecting human rights might appear insignificant or pragmatically attractive, such actions have severe repercussions. They jeopardize the moral integrity of society, resulting in a reliance on force, rather than factor and justice, as the ultimate authority. This dependency not only deteriorates private flexibilities however also upends the capacity for development and knowledge that protection of human rights cultivates.

In essence, this quote is a cautionary observation. It underscores the importance of human rights as both a moral framework and a safeguard against the descent into a society ruled by force, where oppression dominates and humankind's potential is cut.